We set the alarm for 7am. The first alarm of the trip. We wanted to get out of Tamworth before the weather got to 38° c as predicted and we had a 4 hour journey ahead of us.
First there was one quick stop planned at the Golden Guitar and then we were off to Coffs Harbour. The Golden guitar is an iconic statue for this country music town, a must do. Rob pulls up ready to turn a street earlier than needed, “ill meet you there” he says, he has spotted super cheap auto and needs chain loob. (A maintenance spray Rob uses every 2nd day)”Ok”so i ride ahead, sit under some shade as its already hot and its only 9.30am.
He is usually pretty fast with things like this but he took about 30 mins. I didnt mind, but when he got to super cheap auto he realised he had a flat front tyre. 2nd one of the trip. He pumped it up at the petrol station across the road before arriving at the golden guitar and the tyre is going flat again in front of our eyes.
We get the photo and head back over to the petrol station. Rob gets out his tools from under his seat and replaces the valve core to see if thats the issue. Its not and we can now hear a solid leak. We google bike repair shops and there is one down the road 2km away. We get all our bike gear on, Rob pumps up the tyre and takes off. I can see him up ahead trying to make it to the shop on a puff off tyre air. We make it. The shop is open until 12pm and its now 10.30am. The shop is very busy. The guy finishes his last job and then gets onto Robs tyre. We leave at 11.35am. Not ideal to be riding in the middle of the day with the heat but we have to do it today.
We pull in and stop for fuel and food at a side road house about 15km outside of Tamworth in Kootingal. Its very cute and quirky for a petrol station more like a nice cafe inside with couches and all. As we move our bikes to the parking bay Rob shouts. “Its flat again” with a few possible swear words under his breath.
He calls the bike shop at 11.55am and let’s them know its flat. The guy says he will send someone. Robs says he will try and pump it up first and ride back into town.
Gets off the phone and rides to the air pump which is out of order. Calls them back asking to be picked up. They will get someone there asap.
We go inside and i can see Robs mind is ticking over with jobs and possible things he can get ready for there arrival. Bike positioning, wheel off or on etc. I tell him to eat and have a drink first as he is sweating more than a pedophile at a wiggles concert.
The young guy who changed the tyre arrives looking quite embarrassed and apologetic.
They get off the tyre and both head back into town while i stay on the comfy couches and watch the bikes. Its now 12.45pm.
Whilst sitting in that petrol station i realised there was a significantly large amount of females that stopped in. What a difference some comfy furnishings, good food and clean bathrooms make to the clientele. I couldnt have chosen a better petrol station to be housed at if i tried.
They arrive back about 2pm and we are off to Coffs Harbour!! Woop woop!!! Well for 10 minutes. Rob had left his wallet and phone at the petrol station. Haha ohh geeze. He said he will catch up.
I still went up to the lookout as previously planned in the morning and messaged him that i was. Whilst there I heard Robs bike roar on past the lookout turn off as he hasn’t seen the msg and has tried to catch me.
It didn’t matter though as our previous ride to Tamworth Rob took off and i met him there. I can only go 90kms on my learners and i go much slower around corners as I’m still finding my groove.
I thought i would feel uncomfortable riding by myself but i actually prefer it. I can stop for the ridiculous amount of toilet breaks i need and not feel bad and take photos when ever i want without a sweaty impatient boyfriend standing in the 1metre square patch of shade he has found asking if I’m ready to go. I love him but patience is not a strong quality of his and he knows it.
For the first time on the trip it now feels like its truly my own journey and i like it.
2souls2wheels 